Site of the Day for Friday, April 30, 2004 NoteTab Light - Software of the Month One of the most venerable freeware programs for the Windows' platform is that quintessential text editor, NoteTab Light, from Fookes Software in Switzerland. Currently at version 4.95, this stellar application is a must-have in any computer user's arsenal of indispensable, practical programs. The usual things necessary for any text editor are firmly in place and obviously so. The interface is straightforward, blessedly intuitive and combined with a number of additional features which the user may soon decide he can't live without. While the font and its size can be changed from its default setting, this is a global configuration affecting every file created by the program. The default folder for saving any files created by the program is the application's directory itself and unless otherwise altered, its default is to create automatic back ups of each and every new file. In addition, there is an automatic save feature which kicks in after a user-defined time period. One of the more innovative features of NoteTab Light is that it loads previously created files as little tabs directly above the editing window, allowing the user to move from file to file with a single mouse click within the program. In addition, the application can create a split window displaying two adjoining Tab files. This proves to be extremely handy if the user finds it necessary to constantly consult one file while working on another. Closing any of the tabs is simply a right click away. An essential feature is NoteTab Light's ability to strip HTML tags from text pasted into its editing window. If the user is a frequent saver of web-based material, this feature alone makes the application of inestimable value. Since this can be accomplished with only a few key stokes it's a real time saver. Another 'stripping' feature is the program's ability to remove the dreaded quote symbol [>] from much forwarded or replied to e-mails, again with a simple keyboard shortcut. One of the surprises which confronts a new user of this program is the group of items in the Library Bar at the bottom of the window. The Utilities section alone contains ten small applications which do everything from converting centimeters to inches, to calculating your ideal weight. There are also "Smilies", a collection of every conceivable 'emoticon' ever created, complete with their meanings, and a limited but customizable "AutoCorrect" feature, along with a number of others, including Perl and Gawk scripting, should these be a critical part of your computing life. For users who prefer to hand code their web pages, NoteTab Light is often the editor of choice. It has a handy utility of frequently used HTML codes, which can be kept open in a small left-side pane and utilized with a click of the mouse. Not recommended is its "Tidy HTML Code" feature, an add-on frequently mentioned for the application. Unfortunately, this integrated utility can run 'wild in the streets', stripping code without first asking for an "OK". This can result in an acceptable web creation being altered past the point of usability. NoteTab Light's remarkable versatility combined with its comprehensive array of features, makes it a work horse which belongs in every user's stable of programs. Canter over to the site for a screenshot, additional features and download at: http://www.notetab.com/ntl.php A.M. Holm <admin-sotd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Manage your subscription and view the List archives on the web at: <//www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/webpage?webpage_id=sotd> and <//www.freelists.org/archives/sotd> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to sotd-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with unsubscribe in the Subject field.